Town of Willington, CT - BOARD OF SELECTMEN 12-20-04

BOARD OF SELECTMEN 12-20-04

Town of Willington

BOARD OF SELECTMEN • 40 OLD FARMS ROAD • WILLINGTON, CONNECTICUT 06279 • (860) 487-3100 • FAX (860) 487-3103

www.willingtonct.org

BOARD OF SELECTMEN

REGULAR MEETING DEC.20, 2004

TOWN OFFICE BUILDING 6:30 P. M.

First Selectman Eldredge called the meeting to order at 6:30 P.M. with the following in attendance: Selectmen Blessington & Patton, D. Berto, Housing Enterprises, R. Campbell, Chair of Housing Authority and L. Worthington. First Selectman Eldredge led the Pledge of Allegiance.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

SELECTMAN BLESSINGTON MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF 12/9/04.

First Selectman Eldredge seconded the motion.

Selectman Patton commented that he wanted to know why that meeting was held at 1:00 PM on a Thursday? He made it clear it was not convenient. First Selectman Eldredge commented that he wanted to have it during that week. The scheduled meeting was cancelled due to the power outage. Selectman Patton commented that the fact that it was not convenient for me did not matter. First Selectman Eldredge commented that it wasn’t a determining factor to have the meeting or not have the meeting. It was my understanding that you were aware of items that we were going to cover and it was fine with you that we have the meeting. Selectman Patton commented that the following Monday, which is what we usually do, was better for me. I realize that you guys are going to do what you are going to do. I want it in the minutes that the meeting was not convenient for me and I feel there was no reason to have it and we could have had it Monday. Selectman Patton commented that the agenda was never put on the website, the public would never know there was a meeting at 1:00 PM on a Thursday. The agenda was included on the website under the meeting schedule. Selectman Patton commented that tonight’s agenda was not on the website either. Tonight’s agenda was put on the website on Friday. Thursday’s agenda not getting e-mailed to subscribers was an oversight but tonight’s agenda was put on the site and subscribers should have received it. Selectman Patton commented that this is a regular meeting, everyone knows the Board of Selectmen meet on the 1^st & 3^rd Mondays, the fact that there is a 1:00 PM meeting on a Thursday to take the place of a regular scheduled meeting, people would not realize that. First Selectman Eldredge commented that we will try to make sure the agenda gets e-mailed on time. The Thursday agenda not being e-mailed was a secretary oversight.

VOTE: 2 YES (ELDREDGE & BLESSINGTON) 1 ABSTAIN (PATTON) 0 NO

PRESENT TO SPEAK – No one.

CORRESPONDENCE

A list of correspondence was available at the meeting and in the Selectman’s office.

REGULAR MEETING -2- DEC.20, 2004

PUBLIC WORKS

First Selectman Eldredge commented that Lynn is not here for the obvious reason; she has been out all night. They have been doing runoffs and brush and the installation of waste-oil furnace at the garage. They are fixing anything that did go wrong in the storm, there wasn’t much. Selectman Patton commented that Ketches Road

Bridge was originally a relatively simple local project; it is now getting to the point of becoming a federal project. First Selectman Eldredge commented yes the cost is getting way out of hand. Selectman Patton suggested that we contact the state to see if we can obtain funding. First Selectman Eldredge commented that the bridge program usually takes 4-5 years. Selectman Patton commented that we are talking about $300,000 and he would rather wait the time. First Selectman Eldredge commented that he is going to have a meeting with Karl Acimovic on Wednesday and we are going to talk about this. We must put a fix on the structure that is there now. Selectman Patton commented that he thought that was done in the fall. First Selectman Eldredge commented that we are getting a price on that; we did a fix to keep the cars off the bad portion, we moved it over. The other thing we talked about and will discuss on the 22^nd. is not to do the whole change out of the abutments and all the girders. Karl mentioned that he has some thoughts about re-spanning over the top of what exists now and bringing the road up both sides. We are reaching the point where we do not have money available through LOCIP to do a complete replacement. Selectman Patton commented that he suggest you contact DOT before that meeting to find out what is required and if there are ICE TEA funds available and what we could do to get that in place; it is already becoming a federal project with that amount. First Selectman Eldredge commented that if we come up with a design we can afford it would expedite the job. Lets investigate if there is a different design that will not be so costly, with a $100,000 threshold you have the Davis-Bacon wages and that adds almost 30 or 40%. Karl is doing a cost model to come up with a hard figure. It is reaching a point where the Town just can’t afford to do it. Selectman Patton asked if Karl Acimovic will contact the DOT or if First Selectman Eldredge will. First Selectman Eldredge commented that he could do that but he wants to meet first with Karl on the 22^nd. He feels that he could do a different design that would be more cost effective and accomplish the same thing. Selectman Patton asked what is going on with the beaver dam on Old Farms Road? First Selectman Eldredge commented that the owner drained it down and the beavers are being trapped in the month of December, the only month you are allowed to trap beavers. There were 13 beavers, he does not know how many they trapped, but the dam is being taken down. Selectman Patton asked what about the water issue at Hall School? A few months ago I thought you said it was all set, they were going to drill another well; I understand that is not the case. First Selectman Eldredge commented that Dr. Berglund told me that she was going to satisfy the 2 consent orders that were against the school, basically she did not have anything with water quality, she had the well problem being to much output. At that time she said she was going to throttle back one well and drill a new well to satisfy the consent order. Her feeling now is that her ultimate goal is to bring in public water from Tolland and for that they will need State funding, a rough estimate is $400,000-500,000 to do that but she still wants the funds to be able to satisfy the consent order. She is waiting for evaluations from 4 engineers. As far as Center School she has determined that she is going to re-initiate the old well that was closed off by the State, put in an atmospheric tank and have 2 wells available, but the consent order is really at Hall School. Selectman Patton commented that the Board of Finance suggested to us that we form some sore of a committee. First Selectman Eldredge commented that he read that, the Board of Education has a Facilities Committee that should be part of that. Selectman Patton commented that he realizes that but we are talking about a lot of money, talking about drilling new wells or doing a $1/2 million water project. If we are going to do a $1/2 million water project to bring water from Tolland into Willington, it is going to effect more than just the school, it is going to effect the residents in that area, we probably want to have more input than just the Facilities Com. or the Superintendent of the Schools. The Board of Finance recommendation is a good one and we should be involved in this. A $1/2 million is a lot of money; if you are going to start bringing water into the village, which may be a good idea, we ought to be part of this. Anyway you slice it there will be Town funds involved; we have kind of ignored this thing. I have suggested in the past

REGULAR MEETING -3- DEC.20, 2004

that the Town have more input in this problem, I am glad to see that the Board of Finance is making this recommendation, I think we should do it and be pretty serious about it, how do you go from drilling a well to bringing in a water supply, that is a pretty big swing. First Selectman Eldredge commented that basically the reason she is waiting for a public water supply is that it is the best scenario, everything goes away, but I met with Birmingham Water this week and I don’t think that is going to happen in the near future. It is her responsibility and the responsibility of the Board of Education to answer the consent orders that are on the school. Selectman Patton commented that by answering the consent orders she will be spending Town money and the Town should have some input into it. First Selectman Eldredge commented that if she answers the consent orders, whatever she spends at the school is 70% reimbursable. She already has funds in CIP to do the work; my question to her is why haven’t you done the work? Selectman Patton commented because she doesn’t know what the answer is yet, are we going to drill a well or are we going to bring in a public water supply, we don’t know yet. My point is that it is our responsibility to be involved in this project; answering the consent order commits the Town to spending the funds, I don’t see the problem with getting other input. First Selectman Eldredge asked why would you not satisfy the consent order, you have the funds now; public water will not be available for at least 6 months to a year even if it comes through. Selectman Patton commented that you can satisfy the consent order just by saying we are going to bring in public water, you can put them off for years. First Selectman Eldredge commented that is your opinion; I have heard that that will not fly. My point is why doesn’t she take the funds that are committed and do it right now. Selectman Patton commented because educators educate they don’t construct, what we have done is say this is your problem you deal with it. I take a broader view that it is really our problem, the Town has ignored this hoping it would go away, maybe they will take care of it but they are spending the Town’s money. First Selectman Eldredge commented that they are spending CIP money; why would you not expect the Board of Education to be able to respond to the problem? Selectman Patton commented because they haven’t done it so far, why would I expect it to change now? The Board of Finance is questioning it; we are getting different answers, the CIP Com. says they don’t know what is going on, there are a lot of doubts out there of what exactly is being done. What is the harm is saying we are going to take a serious look at this. First Selectman Eldredge commented that there is no harm participating but there is the aspect that the Board of Education has this problem, they are aware of this problem, they have the funds to answer the consent order; my question is why won’t they do it? Selectman Blessington commented that we are fighting here with the Board of Education and the Board of Education is not here to fight back. Maybe we should invite Dr. Berglund or members of the Facilities Com. to come to a Selectmen’s meeting and then we can all talk about it and figure out where we are going with this. First Selectman Eldredge commented that we could do that, we could form a committee, we could put one of us on the committee with the Facility Com. but you already have a committee that is supposed to be handling this internally. Selectman Patton commented we could have the Facility Committee on the committee, have Dr. Berglund on it, and have one of us, Karl Acimovic and Lynn Nicholls. We need to do that; it is becoming more than well drilling. First Selectman Eldredge commented that we can do that, we can form a committee, but he will talk to Dr. Berglund first. If we have to pursue it that way we will. Selectman Patton commented that he thinks it is a good way to pursue it; it will alleviate a lot of people’s concerns. Selectman Patton asked about the union contract amendment where the Town agreed to pay for 2 CDL handbooks and tests, he does not remember talking about this. First Selectman Eldredge commented that he did that, he has the right to sign those, and it was a settlement to a problem. Selectman Patton commented that you modified the union contract without talking to the Board of Selectmen. First Selectman Eldredge commented that he has the right to do this. Selectman Patton commented that he did not get a copy of this; he does not know why the big secrecy up here, don’t tell him anything, don’t give him anything. Selectman Patton asked for a copy of what was requested of CIP. Selectman Patton commented that he has a question about upgrading the assistant Transfer Station operator to driver/laborer when plowing. First Selectman Eldredge commented that it is past practice. When a guy is out with a truck plowing snow we always brought him up to driver/laborer, which is equivalent to Transfer Station

REGULAR MEETING -4- DEC.20, 2004

Operator. First Selectman Eldredge asked Selectman Patton how he knew about this? It was supposed to be discussed only with me. Selectman Patton commented right everything is a secret. First Selectman Eldredge replied no, but it has to be discussed with the First Selectman first. Selectman Blessington commented that he is a little upset about this too, he had a message from Lynn that she would not be at the meeting but she wanted to discuss this with me and to discuss this with Selectman Patton. Is this something that we should discuss when she can be here with the whole Board? First Selectman Eldredge commented that there is nothing to discuss because it is the standard practice that has been in effect for 8 years. Selectman Blessington comment that he is not talking about whether it is right, wrong or indifferent, he is talking about things like this that need to be brought to the Board of Selectmen, I think that it should be brought to the Board rather than 3 different Selectmen at 3 different times. Selectman Patton commented that is a hard thing to do if you have been told not to bring something to the Board. First Selectman Eldredge commented that on that particular issue there was nothing to bring to the Board, it is past practice. Selectman Patton commented that he is just asking the question; if it is past practice I have no problem. I get annoyed when I find these things, why is everything such a secret? I don’t understand it, why are the employees told not to talk to me, I don’t grasp it, it really grates on my nerves after a while; then you have meetings where I say I can’t make it but you have them anyway, it just continues, don’t tell him. First Selectman Eldredge commented no John, I don’t think it is don’t tell him but I expect the Public Works Supervisor to come to me first with a problem with personnel, that is the chain of command, you know it and I know it. Selectman Patton asked for an update of the projects Karl is working on with Public Works. Selectman Patton asked about the request from someone to purchase some Willington land. First Selectman Eldredge commented that he gave that some thought and he talked to Peter Anderson, Chair of Conservation Com. the Conservation Com. thinks of that as open space. It renewed my feeling that we should not sell it.

OLD BUSINESS – None

HOUSING AUTHORITY UPDATE

Robert Campbell, Chair of the Housing Authority, introduced David Berto of Housing Enterprises to give the update. Mr. Berto handed out a flyer and proceeded to discuss this. He worked on the HUD 202 Senior Housing grant submitted by the Access Agency. We were notified in Nov. that we were one of 3 awarded the grant; it is for almost $4 million. It is a 40-year grant for 32 low-income 1-bedroom apartments for age 62 and over. Right now low income is about $28, 000 for a family of two but that changes each year. Tenants pay only 30% of income for rent and it is also a HUD subsidy for operating costs. The initial steps were to set up an owner non-profit corporation, the name of that is Access Senior Housing of Willington, Inc. Housing Authority and Access members make up this board, they had a meeting with HUD on Dec. 8, 2004. HUD wants to move as quickly as possible to construct and to turn over the operation. The architect is Schadler Associates of Farmington. We are working on the initial cost estimate and starting the Town permits process. The critical issues are that there is no public water or sewer system; there is a funding shortfall of $450,000 largely due to that. There are 3 separate projects on one site, the HUD 202 senior housing, the Senior Center and future cottages for the elderly. CT DPUC will not allow 3 separate facilities to serve all 3, they want 1 system. HUD cannot finance a shared system. We need one small water company to serve the entire site and all 3 projects, it can be Town or private owner and the operator must be approved by DPUC. Design and construction costs can be charged to users, prorated by estimated use. The Town may need to advance some funds until the cottages & Senior Center hook up. The sewer system can be constructed in 3 independent systems near each other in the main leach-field area. The HUD 202 system will be separate. HUD funds can be used for design, construction and operation of its system. Regarding the budget shortfall issue, the Town was awarded a STEP grant of $150,000; there is a possibility of a second HUD grant of $225,000. We need to explore CT DECD funding. There could be no property taxes or building permit fees. Other needs will be addressed after better numbers

REGULAR MEETING -5- DEC.20, 2004

are obtained. Mr. Berto recommends that we resolve the water system issue: design, cost, ownership and operator and that we contact CT DECD for funding.

APOINTMENTS

FIRST SELECTMAN ELDREDGE MOVED TO RE-APPOINT PETER ANDERSEN AS A REGULAR MEMBER OF THE CONSERVATION COMMISSION, TERM EFFECTIVE 12/1/04 TO 12/1/07 AND RE-APPOINT PAUL PRIBULA AS A REGULAR MEMBER OF THE CONSERVATION COMMISSION, TERM EFFECTIVE 12/1/04 TO 12/1/07 AND TO MOVE ANDREW WHITE FROM ALTERNATE MEMBER TO REGULAR MEMBER OF THE CONSERVATION COMMISSION TO FILL THE VACANCY CREATED BY THE RESIGNATION OF ROGER PELOQUIN, TERM EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATE TO 12/1/05.

Selectman Eldredge seconded the motion.